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Tinnitus and Hypothyroid
Manny,
I have recently experienced three months of tinnitus. After seeing my regular doctor and then an ENT, I was told that there was no cure for it. Because of its rapid onset, I thought it was either because of a digital meter (Smart) that was placed on my home or because of a change in the outside environment. But after ruling those out with help from my friends who heard nothing either in or outside of my house, I did some online research and found out that there IS a link between hypothyroidism and tinnitus AND the kind of medication used. I have been on Levothyroxin for 5 years and have never had a problem with it. So I cold-turkeyed and the ringing continued. Yesterday I started on Armour and the ringing dropped by about half in the first 24 hours. I am hoping that I can get it to disappear completely in the next few days. I have no idea why one med stopped working one day out of the blue. It seems so arbitrary to me. But perhaps there is a medical explanation. So much of this is not researched and seems like a crap shoot, varying from individual to individual. So you have to EXPERIMENT to find out what works best for you. Good luck!
This discussion is related to Low Thyroid and Tinnitus?.
I have recently experienced three months of tinnitus. After seeing my regular doctor and then an ENT, I was told that there was no cure for it. Because of its rapid onset, I thought it was either because of a digital meter (Smart) that was placed on my home or because of a change in the outside environment. But after ruling those out with help from my friends who heard nothing either in or outside of my house, I did some online research and found out that there IS a link between hypothyroidism and tinnitus AND the kind of medication used. I have been on Levothyroxin for 5 years and have never had a problem with it. So I cold-turkeyed and the ringing continued. Yesterday I started on Armour and the ringing dropped by about half in the first 24 hours. I am hoping that I can get it to disappear completely in the next few days. I have no idea why one med stopped working one day out of the blue. It seems so arbitrary to me. But perhaps there is a medical explanation. So much of this is not researched and seems like a crap shoot, varying from individual to individual. So you have to EXPERIMENT to find out what works best for you. Good luck!
This discussion is related to Low Thyroid and Tinnitus?.
I find that allergic rhinitis uses up zinc big time (75mg/day to repair mucous membranes) and zinc is important for the thyroid (to prevent hypothyroid, although it is not the only necessary nutrient). When I took zinc to make my allergies bearable (big relief of the allergies) it caused tinnitus. The reason, I believe, if that I have already verified that my thyroid cannot turn off properly (which implicates a copper deficiency according to www.ithyroid.com) and so until my body is through rebuilding mucous membrane the zinc revs up my thyroid...but I did not take extra of any other nutrient necessary for the thyroid except copper, so I suspect I am short of something such as mB12, selenium, iodine, and/or copper and the tinnitus is caused by inability to fully make thyroid hormone. This coincides with partial thyroid meds like T4 meds instead of full (T3) meds. I do not know what else I am short of, I expect it to go away end of June.
2 Comments
Could you provide the direct link about thyroid not being able to turn off due to copper defiency please? You did not take extra of any other nutrient necessary for the thyroid EXCEPT copper? was this along with the zinc? How do you know that the copper isnt causing the tinnitus? Did it go away? I know this is old, but interesting to me and I need to know more. Tinnitus has ramped up lately. been taking Zinc, little iron and now copper for a long long time.
No copper for a long time
COMMUNITY LEADER
This is quite an old thread and it's unlikely that you'll get a response. As I noted in your own thread, iodine is contra-indicated when one has Hashimoto's.
Yes, I have been hypo for 9 years. I was only recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease. Although I am sure I have had it for years if not since childhood. (Autoimmune in which the body is attacks and destroys the thyroid gland). My TSH and T4 is within range, but my T3 is low. My new doctor stepped me up from Armour 15mg to Westhroid 32.5mg last week and now I am just waiting for new labs.
I have had Tinnitus for 9 years believing the conventional wisdom that there was nothing that could be done. It is only recently that I have renewed hope that if I can ever get my thyroid optimized and get my TPO numbers down (which can take years) that it is very possible to finally get rid of the Tinnitus. But it will take perseverance, so I must be very patient and methodical.
I do believe there is a connection. The trick is finding a doctor who agrees with you enough to let you experiment with your levels to find your sweet spot. This is purely my gut instinct. Because there are no reliable studies, but tons of anecdotal stories just like ours.
Unfortunately Hashi's is complicating my whole scenario. It really can take years because you have to increase thyroid meds gradually and it takes a long time to respond to them and probably also to all the supplements which support the thyroid too.
I am taking 5,000 IU of Vit D3, lots of protein, no gluten, no dairy, 200 mcg of Selenium, 6.25mg Iodoral (iodine) Vit C, Fish Oil, 22mg zinc, Vit A, Vit E, magnesium and Bio-identical hormones.
I think it is very important to get a doctor that will really have a passion for getting to the bottom of the cause, not many will. You need free T3, free T4 and a myriad of tests to get a full picture. See Barb135 and Stella 3549 on this forum, they seem to really know about this stuff.
Robin
I have had Tinnitus for 9 years believing the conventional wisdom that there was nothing that could be done. It is only recently that I have renewed hope that if I can ever get my thyroid optimized and get my TPO numbers down (which can take years) that it is very possible to finally get rid of the Tinnitus. But it will take perseverance, so I must be very patient and methodical.
I do believe there is a connection. The trick is finding a doctor who agrees with you enough to let you experiment with your levels to find your sweet spot. This is purely my gut instinct. Because there are no reliable studies, but tons of anecdotal stories just like ours.
Unfortunately Hashi's is complicating my whole scenario. It really can take years because you have to increase thyroid meds gradually and it takes a long time to respond to them and probably also to all the supplements which support the thyroid too.
I am taking 5,000 IU of Vit D3, lots of protein, no gluten, no dairy, 200 mcg of Selenium, 6.25mg Iodoral (iodine) Vit C, Fish Oil, 22mg zinc, Vit A, Vit E, magnesium and Bio-identical hormones.
I think it is very important to get a doctor that will really have a passion for getting to the bottom of the cause, not many will. You need free T3, free T4 and a myriad of tests to get a full picture. See Barb135 and Stella 3549 on this forum, they seem to really know about this stuff.
Robin
I've been suffering from tinnitus for 3 months. I was on Eltroxin for my hypothyroidism - it was working great! but apparently the dosage was too high for me and I started having hyperthyroidism symptoms in February. Since then, I have had tinnitus. It's loud on some days, and not noticeable until I get to sleep other days. I'm on a reduced dosage of Eltroxin now, but I know it can take a while to get over overmedication. Anyone else in the same boat?
fyi. when i first started it thought i was the only one with the tinnitus and thought i was nuts. I have found that there are many of us that have this issue that have thyroid issues. A lot of us report that the ringing is bilateral (in both ears) but for some reason seems to be worse on the left side (more of a buzzing or locust sound).
I have personally tried everything and have had every test and scan known to mankind to get this fixed. It seems to be worse when i am fatigued.
As far as drugs go, i agree with barb on selenium. I am on a compound that is made with t4, zinc and selenium. But you can over do it on selenium. You have to be very careful on this stuff. A little bit goes a long ways.
I have personally tried everything and have had every test and scan known to mankind to get this fixed. It seems to be worse when i am fatigued.
As far as drugs go, i agree with barb on selenium. I am on a compound that is made with t4, zinc and selenium. But you can over do it on selenium. You have to be very careful on this stuff. A little bit goes a long ways.
COMMUNITY LEADER
This is a very old thread and most of the previous posters are no longer active on the forum. It's unlikely that any of them will respond.
Tinnitus can be caused by a multitude of things, other than thyroid. I've had it all my life and have only been diagnosed with thyroid condition for 4 years, though I suspect I had it for some years before diagnosis; still not as long as I've had the tinnitus.
You'll get no argument that the ranges are flawed, but I suspect you are referring only to TSH, which is not even a thyroid hormone, and does not cause symptoms or even correlate well with them. More important are the Free T3 and Free T4, which are the actual thyroid hormones.
T4 thyroid medication is not a "partial" medication. There is much more T4 produced in the body than T3. T4 is converted to T3, mostly by the liver, but also by other organs, though not as much. Many people do just fine on T4-only medications, because the body converts it to T3 adequately.
By the same token, T3 medication is not a "full" medication. The body actually produces very little T3; the bulk of it is converted from T4.
While iodine can help some people, it is contraindicated in those of us who have Hashimoto's.
While zinc and copper are necessary for thyroid function, like iodine, they won't help those of us with Hashimoto's, whose thyroids no longer function at all. Selenium is very important, as it assists with conversion of FT4 to FT3.
Tinnitus can be caused by a multitude of things, other than thyroid. I've had it all my life and have only been diagnosed with thyroid condition for 4 years, though I suspect I had it for some years before diagnosis; still not as long as I've had the tinnitus.
You'll get no argument that the ranges are flawed, but I suspect you are referring only to TSH, which is not even a thyroid hormone, and does not cause symptoms or even correlate well with them. More important are the Free T3 and Free T4, which are the actual thyroid hormones.
T4 thyroid medication is not a "partial" medication. There is much more T4 produced in the body than T3. T4 is converted to T3, mostly by the liver, but also by other organs, though not as much. Many people do just fine on T4-only medications, because the body converts it to T3 adequately.
By the same token, T3 medication is not a "full" medication. The body actually produces very little T3; the bulk of it is converted from T4.
While iodine can help some people, it is contraindicated in those of us who have Hashimoto's.
While zinc and copper are necessary for thyroid function, like iodine, they won't help those of us with Hashimoto's, whose thyroids no longer function at all. Selenium is very important, as it assists with conversion of FT4 to FT3.
You should be aware that various drugs can cause tinnitus as listed here (along with a whole list ofother causes, which include carotid aorta aneurism or cranial hypertension):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinitis
Personally I think the problem is the bogus thyroid reference range, as aneurism is caused by insufficient copper for cross linking (lysl oxidase requires copper) and w/o cross-linking of collagen, blood vessels are easily broken. I think cranial hypertension is caused by thryoid problems...I certainly FELT that when I was hyperthryoid. I think this whole list of symptoms (except for the meds) are just things that occur along with thyroid trouble in the case of a missing nutrient required for the thyroid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinitis
Personally I think the problem is the bogus thyroid reference range, as aneurism is caused by insufficient copper for cross linking (lysl oxidase requires copper) and w/o cross-linking of collagen, blood vessels are easily broken. I think cranial hypertension is caused by thryoid problems...I certainly FELT that when I was hyperthryoid. I think this whole list of symptoms (except for the meds) are just things that occur along with thyroid trouble in the case of a missing nutrient required for the thyroid.
I have had both hyper and hypo. ringing = hypo and buzzing = hyper in my observation
idk if this is thyroid (could be). But I read one time that hearing loss is due to methylfolate deficiency (which you could have even if taking a B vitamin if you can't make methylfolate out of folic acid(due to lack of methyls or genetics). Luckily for people like me (genetically can't) one can now buy methylfolate.
Yes, thyroid problems are linked to adrenal problems for me, as both occur during allergy season. I find that DHEA hormone replacement takes care of the low blood sugar / adrenal issues that ensue. I also take pregnenolone (to balance because it makes progesterone, whereas DHEA makes estrogen and testosterone), and a DIM+I3C broccoli supplement to help ward off cancer. I also keep up my vitamin D, selenium, and iodine levels to ward off cancer (but only a very little iodine for me as my thyroid won't turn off if I get too much).
The thyroid reference range is NOt absed on science. The labs just throw away the top and bottom 5% of the values they get (which are all from sick people), there is no screening healthy from sick people before making this bogus range. Studies are showing any TSH 2.0 or above is hypothyroid! See http://www.lef.org/protocols/appendix/blood_testing_01.htm
The thyroid reference range is NOt absed on science. The labs just throw away the top and bottom 5% of the values they get (which are all from sick people), there is no screening healthy from sick people before making this bogus range. Studies are showing any TSH 2.0 or above is hypothyroid! See http://www.lef.org/protocols/appendix/blood_testing_01.htm
IMHO buzzing is caused by hyPERthyroid. I had severe buzzing when I took Iodoral (12.5 mg iodine)/day. When I stopped it immediately got less and went away in about 3 days. I found by this that my thyroid is ubnable to turn off if enough nutrients are supplied to make thyroid hormone. John Johnson links inability to turn off your thyroid to copper deficiency ay www.ithyroid.com
1) I'm not real sure on this. as it relates to thyroid. I know some people with Hashimoto's can swing between being hyper and hypo. But I'm not sure the swings are daily but more gradual. But I'm not sure on this.
2) Fatigue is probably the number 1 symptom of low thyroid. So it would make sense that if you are low (hypo) thyroid that you would run down as the day goes on.
3) I think ringing in the ears can be a symptom for both hypo AND Hyper.
Do you know for sure you are actually Hypo? Otherwise it is possible that you are hyper and by taking more thyroid it is making you feel worse because you actually need less, not supplemented with more.
You may also want to take a look at your diet & environment. Maybe you are having an allergic reaction to something or some foods. Gluten for example.
2) Fatigue is probably the number 1 symptom of low thyroid. So it would make sense that if you are low (hypo) thyroid that you would run down as the day goes on.
3) I think ringing in the ears can be a symptom for both hypo AND Hyper.
Do you know for sure you are actually Hypo? Otherwise it is possible that you are hyper and by taking more thyroid it is making you feel worse because you actually need less, not supplemented with more.
You may also want to take a look at your diet & environment. Maybe you are having an allergic reaction to something or some foods. Gluten for example.
I'm the same way with the ringing as well. The louder the ringing, the crappier I feel.
I think what I'm searching for are the answers to 3 things
1. Why or how did I go from normal one day to barely able to function the next?
2. Why do I wake up in the morning feeling okay but starting at 1 pm i fall apart?
3. Why is it when I take thyroid can I not even function? I get so sick I can't even get out of bed?
I think what I'm searching for are the answers to 3 things
1. Why or how did I go from normal one day to barely able to function the next?
2. Why do I wake up in the morning feeling okay but starting at 1 pm i fall apart?
3. Why is it when I take thyroid can I not even function? I get so sick I can't even get out of bed?
Brucedog.
I know what you mean about the ringing in the ears getting worse/ louder when you don't feel well.
In fact I can predict I'm going to get really sick when I hear an increase in the ringing. For me it is weird. But if I move my eyes to the extreme left or right fullest extent of movement (as if trying to look at my ears) and when I get to the far extent I hear an increase in the ringing, I know I'm doomed to get a real butt kicking cold or flu.
Also Bruce I'm not sure why you are so reluctant to believe that hypothyroidism could cause the ringing and other symptoms. The thyroid controls the metabolic rate of the entire body. in essence it is the throttle for the body's engine. And not just the heart, but all the millions of engines in the entire body. All the parts and pieces that all need to be running in sync to feel your best. The lack of proper thyroid can upset the entire balance between many, many different bodily functions having a domino effect. Or at least can have. Since each person is different and the effectiveness of the thyroid can change over time and the optimum levels each person needs vary, the symptoms of each person also vary. But many of the same symptoms apply. And you have several of them. You can keep your head in the sand or you can proactively attempt to get better. And attempting to treat hypothyroid is one way you can attempt to do that.
Wouldn't you rather be taking cheap, generic thyroid meds or would you rather have to take sedation medication?
I know what you mean about the ringing in the ears getting worse/ louder when you don't feel well.
In fact I can predict I'm going to get really sick when I hear an increase in the ringing. For me it is weird. But if I move my eyes to the extreme left or right fullest extent of movement (as if trying to look at my ears) and when I get to the far extent I hear an increase in the ringing, I know I'm doomed to get a real butt kicking cold or flu.
Also Bruce I'm not sure why you are so reluctant to believe that hypothyroidism could cause the ringing and other symptoms. The thyroid controls the metabolic rate of the entire body. in essence it is the throttle for the body's engine. And not just the heart, but all the millions of engines in the entire body. All the parts and pieces that all need to be running in sync to feel your best. The lack of proper thyroid can upset the entire balance between many, many different bodily functions having a domino effect. Or at least can have. Since each person is different and the effectiveness of the thyroid can change over time and the optimum levels each person needs vary, the symptoms of each person also vary. But many of the same symptoms apply. And you have several of them. You can keep your head in the sand or you can proactively attempt to get better. And attempting to treat hypothyroid is one way you can attempt to do that.
Wouldn't you rather be taking cheap, generic thyroid meds or would you rather have to take sedation medication?
How did I go from just being the sluggish to having life threatening symptoms?
If it's just the hypothyroidism causing me all this agony then how did I go from slightly tired to having to be sedated on a daily basis suddenly one day?
I've had ringing in my ears since I was a child. I've always had cold hands and feet. In researching Hypo as my wife is Hypo I found these are common symptoms for Hypo.
I had a blood test. Of course it was ONLY TSH and it came out I believe 1.16 well within range which I think is 0.5 to 2.5. So my Dr. did NOTHING more. At the time he wrote out the lab, I asked for free T3 and Free T4. But he would not run it.
I have to go back to get my cholesterol check and I have since changed primary dare Dr. I think I will call my new Dr and see if he could add the free T3 & FT4 to the cholesterol test.
I personally believe I am slightly hypo. But not enough to make the TSH test indicative of that.
It does seem like the ringing in my ears is getting a bit worse with age.
I had a blood test. Of course it was ONLY TSH and it came out I believe 1.16 well within range which I think is 0.5 to 2.5. So my Dr. did NOTHING more. At the time he wrote out the lab, I asked for free T3 and Free T4. But he would not run it.
I have to go back to get my cholesterol check and I have since changed primary dare Dr. I think I will call my new Dr and see if he could add the free T3 & FT4 to the cholesterol test.
I personally believe I am slightly hypo. But not enough to make the TSH test indicative of that.
It does seem like the ringing in my ears is getting a bit worse with age.
I've had a roaring in my right ear for YEARS. I had all the test done and determined that it was the tiny nerves in the ear dieing off. I do have some hearing loss in the right ear now. For some reason the roaring is now gone. But I want to share what helped me when I was suffering. I found that taking Ginkgo Biloba daily kept the roaring much reduced that I could ignore it and not be distracted by it. It takes about 10 days to 2 weeks before it makes a difference. Depending on the strength, I might have to take 2 caps a day. I was able to reduce to 1 cap a day and about every 3 or 4 days take an extra to titrate the dose. When I ran out, I found that it would also take about 10 days for the roaring to return.
me too i can tell when the thyroid levels are probable low at that point in the day like late when my ears are ringing loud, then after dose in the morning nothing at all. i think it's all connected,,
I notice a connection between my waves of crap and the ear ringing. Typically when I don't feel good the ringing is much louder. I don't get the high pitch as much as the electric ringing anymore. Either way they both are dumb. This is like a curse...
it's definitely connected to hypo!.(ringing in your ears) i don't understand why doctors don't admit to it or recognize it. it goes lower and lower when your not as hypo. so it's connected, somehow. what they don't have scientific proof so they dismiss it. until one day a study appears and then they suddenly believe it. my ear doctors told me they don't know why ? if it's not physical. or as a result of long term damage loud noises, it's probable from something out of balance(thyroid hormone) but there is no test for it,
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